o dry sand.

Then he drew a deep breath and stared at his brood.

"Terence, would you kindly be explaining?" he said at last.

Billy looked at the panting little figure of Terry.

"I guess I better," he said. "We were playing Indians on the warpath,
and we hadn't any ponies, and Terry said it was all the style to go in
automobiles now, so we----"

Freckles's head went back, and he did some whooping himself.

"I wonder if you realize how nearly you came to being four drowned
children?" he said gravely, after a time.

"Oh, I think I could swim enough to get most of us out," said Billy.
"Anyway, we need washing."

"You do indeed," said Freckles. "I will head this procession to the
garage, and there we will remove the first coat." For the remainder
of Billy's visit the nurse, chauffeur, and every servant of the O'More
household had something of importance on their minds, and Billy's every
step was shadowed.

"I have Billy's consent," said Philip to Elnora, "and all the other
consent you have stipulated. Before you think of something more, give me
your left hand, please."

Elnora gave it gladly, and the emerald slipped on her finger. Then they
went together into the forest to tell each other all about it, and talk
it over.

"Have you seen Edith?" asked Philip.

"No," answered Elnora. "But she must be here, or she may have seen me
when we went to Petoskey a few days ago. Her people have a cottage over
on the bluff, but the Angel never told me until to-day. I didn't want
to make that trip, but the folks were so anxious to entertain me, and
it was only a few days until I intended to let you know myself where I
was."

"And I was going to wait just that long, and if I didn't hear then I was
getting ready to turn over the country. I can scarcely realize yet that
Edith sent me that telegram."

"No wonder! It's a difficult thing to believe. I can't express how I
feel for her."

"Let us never speak of it again," said Philip. "I came nearer feeling
sorry for her last night than I have yet. I couldn't sleep on that boat
coming over, and I couldn't put away the thought of what sending that
message cost her. I never would have believed it possible that she would
do it. But it is done. We will forget it."

"I scarcely think I shall," said Elnora. "It is something I like to
remember. How suffering must have changed her! I would give anything to
bring her peace."

"Henderson came to see me at the hospital a few days a